Burns pumped about playing with Sharks

COTTAGE GROVE, Minn. All-Star defenseman Brent Burns was traded from the Minnesota Wild to the San Jose Sharks on draft night last month, but the deal didnt stop him from putting on a show for Minnesota hockey fans one last time Wednesday night.The charismatic Burns, 26, has been a fan favorite dating back to 2003, when he was selected with the 20th overall pick by the Wild. So Wednesdays charity game at Cottage Grove Arena gave him a chance to fly around the ice, joke with former teammates and make some terrific offensive rushes."There are so many (fond memories), he said of his seven seasons with the Wild. Honestly, Minnesota is a special place because everyone loves the game, and I've been a player that is most happy at the rink. I'm going to miss hanging out with these guys and being around the Twin Cities. Everyone here has always been so good to me."The game raised funds for Defending the Blue Line and both the Hastings and Cottage Grove Hockey associations, and Burns was one of 23 current NHL players happy to help out."Anything that helps out Defending the Blue Line, I'm going to try and get involved, he said of the nonprofit organization created by soldiers that keeps hockey alive for children of military members. What these guys have done with this organization is pretty amazing. This is just a small token of my appreciation for what these men and women sacrifice every day for our country."Burns flashed around the ice wearing his new No. 88 Sharks helmet. The Sharks enter the season as one of the favorites to win the Stanley Cup, and Burns says hes pumped to see how far San Jose can go in the playoffs next season. "After two years of hearing the (trade) rumors, I wasn't totally surprised, but it still kind of hits you when you get moved, he said. It's been great so far. We went down to San Jose to find a place to live, and it really is a wonderful city. The Sharks have a tremendous organization, and I've spoken with most of the players and we are excited to get rolling this year."Burns played in 453 games for the Wild, and the bonds he formed in Minnesota wont be quickly broken."This has been our home for a long time, and we loved our time in Minny, he said. It is always tough leaving great friends, but you also look forward to the next challenge."And the next challenge will make Burns the enemy when the Wild visit the Sharks on Nov. 10 for the teams first meeting of the season."I told my Wild buddies to train hard this summer and to get ready for some serious battles next season, Burns said. I grew up in the league with most of these guys, and I'm sure they will take their shots at me, too. It will certainly be different to play against them, but it will also be a ton of fun."Burns and his wife, Susan, have two young children: Peyton, a 1-year-old girl, and Jagger, a 1-month-old boy, but the biggest question Wild fans might have is whether the rest of his family a traveling zoo that includes dogs, cats, reptiles and hundreds of snakes will make the trip to San Jose."Absolutely, they are part of the family, Burns said. And being in a warmer climate will probably suit the group just fine.